2011 WHL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

Press Release

Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League today announced the Pre-Season schedule for the 2011-12 season. The schedule includes 64 games beginning on Tuesday, August 30 and concluding on Sunday, September 18. The pre-season schedule also features three tournaments with the Edmonton Oil Kings and Everett Silvertips hosting tournaments on the September 2 – 5 weekend and the Tri-City Americans hosting their annual tournament over the September 8 – 10 weekend.

The Everett Silvertips Pre-season Classic runs September 2 – 4 and will feature all five U.S. Division Clubs, the host Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans. The Edmonton Oil Kings 5th Annual Pre-Season tournament begins Sunday, September 4 and features six WHL Clubs including the host Oil Kings, Calgary Hitmen, Medicine Hat Tigers, Prince George Cougars, Red Deer Rebels and Swift Current Broncos. The games will be played out of the Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert, AB. The Tri-City Americans Pre-Season Tournament will again feature all five U.S. Division Clubs; the host Americans, Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds and the Spokane Chiefs. The tournament will also include the 2011 WHL Champion Kootenay Ice with games starting on September 8.

The 2011 WHL Pre-Season schedule also features games in 10 communities outside the 22 WHL Club markets, exposing the WHL to new fans across Western Canada. In Alberta, WHL fans will have the opportunity to watch pre-season action in the Crowsnest Pass, Innisfail, Jasper, Lacombe, St. Albert, Stettler and Taber. In British Columbia, the Vancouver Giants will host three games out of their practice facility in Ladner and the Victoria Royals will host a game in Maple Ridge. In Saskatchewan, the residents of Shaunavon will have the chance to watch the Regina Pats and Medicine Hat Tigers square off along with the Swift Current Broncos and Prince Albert Raiders.

The 792 game 2011-12 WHL Regular Season schedule will be released on Wednesday, June 29.


(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)